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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
intermittent cough accompanied by constant wheezing
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis
intermittent cough accompanied by constant wheezing
by GoTexans, Jan 27, 2007 12:00AM
Pulmonary specialst diagnosis is chronic bronchitis without airway obstruction. MRI & CAT scan showed no sign of cancer. Asthma/allergist is treating me for both asthma & allergies(pollen/grass). None of the inhalers/presribed medicines(Advair, Rhinocort, Singular, Xopenex, Asmanex, Theo-24)have stopped the symptons. Now taking Mucinex over the counter but again no relief. Is there any medicine/treatment available to stop the coughing/wheezing/mucous formation? Should I be seeing another type of doctor?
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Jan 30, 2007 12:00AM
, Jan 30, 2007 12:00AM
An important piece of information not included in the question is if you are smoking or have been a long term smoker. If the answer is yes to either of these, pushing these medications is still a good approach, monitoring changes in symptoms. If you are a nonsmoker and have not been a smoker, it may be a good idea to speak to your physician or to a new physician about more diagnostic tests, including lung function testing before and after a bronchodilator.
I was told by one doctor that I had emphysema, although nothing showed on the CT scan and told my two other doctors it was bronchitis. I got fed up and went to a Pulmonary doctor this past summer. He did a chest x-ray and said it was fine. Exactly one week later, I woke up with trouble breathing and wheezing, went to the ER,was diagnosed with double pneumonia and admitted and put on high-dose antibiotics and steroids. I obtained a copy of my hospital records, and it said I had coag-negative Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in my blood. I was very concerned about not even being called about this but at follow-up with my Pulmonary doctor he said it must have been a contaminant and not to worry because if I really had it I would be very sick. He said my problems with cough and wheeze and waking up at night coughing could be GERD. I went to my gastroenterologist (I have hepatitis C also). He set me up to have an EGD. The EGD showed I had erosive (ulcer) esophagitis, a hiatal hernia, GERD and an esophagial stricture. They dilated the stricture and put me on Nexium which I have been on for a little over a month. My cough and wheezing have greatly improved now but have been having a little trouble lately, I guess from the odd weather and heat in the house. Many people with chronic cough have problems with GERD or esophageal problems. There is a load of information on the internet about it. This may not be your problem but is definitely worth looking in to. Doctors with patients complaining of chronic cough should know to check this out but most don't, especially if you smoke. Then, they think all of your problems are from smoking.